Popular Nigerian singer, Akinbiyi Ahmed, better known as Bella Shmurda, has claimed that contrary to public notions, artistes are not overcharging.

The singer made this known while speaking during a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, stating that he personally spent over N100 million to pay producers, engineers, songwriters, and those who contribute to the success of his music.

According to him, artistes like him charge for shows based on their investment in order to be able to recoup some amount of money, following the money they spent on their music.

He said:
"Speaking from the perspectives of an artiste, making music is expensive. I don’t repeat clothes because I’m a public figure. I spent $100,000 to pay producers, songwriters and engineers that worked on my album. That’s over N100 million. Not to mention music videos and promotion costs. That’s a lot.

"So, I go for a show, I would charge what would equate my investments. Even if I don’t make profit, I should a least be able to recover the cost of production. So, we are not overcharging. If you look at it from our own perspective, you will agree that we are not overcharging."